Not deceived, but discerning!

Colossians 2:3 (NKJV): In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The word ‘all’ here in Greek is ‘pas’, which means ‘all, every, any, the whole, whatsoever, thoroughly’. I love to confess this verse often, personalizing it this way: “In Christ, I have all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!”Amen! Do you know in what context did Paul write this verse? Colossians 2:4 has the answer. It says, ‘Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words…’ Colossians 2:8 then says, ‘…lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world (i.e. worldly ways)’.

How do you like the feeling of being cheated? Many years ago, a good friend of mine (who’s new in a city) went to its street market to buy some apples. Anyone would have known he’s not a local, judging by his dialect. Naive and innocent looking he was, that means he became 'easy prey' to some advantage-takers! Having chosen the good apples, he paid happily. But when he got home, he found out most of the apples he bought were rotten ones! The seller had probably very skillfully and quickly changed his packet without him noticing it. He went back to the street market only to find the stall was gone! Of course, today, we can just laugh about it over a cup of tea.

On a more serious note, just flip the pages in the newspaper, and you'll see anything can happen in the world nowadays. People would think of all kinds of ways to deceive. I heard of this recently: An innocent looking child came crying to an unsuspecting lady, and then gave her a piece of paper with an address on it. This child ‘supposedly’ was lost, and ‘supposedly’ could not find his parents. But, when this unsuspecting lady brought the child to the address given, she in turn got robbed and raped!

This is a dangerous world we live in today, but fear not, for there’s one sure protection for you as believers, and it is found in Christ! Colossians 2:3 says ‘in Him is all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’. 'All' here really means 'all, every, any,...' God can protect you from every kind of fraud, cheating, manipulation, trickery, subtlety, and even ulterior motive! Yes, whether in the real world or in the cyber world! Not only that, in Christ, you also receive His wisdom and discernment to make the right decisions in your business, career, or ministry, i.e. to know who you should deal with and who you should not, who to associate with, who to work with, who to entrust, or even who you should recruit! Open your ‘spiritual ears’ to listen to His Spirit!

Let’s look at Peter now. One of the earliest situations Peter faced upon receiving the enabling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4) was to face deceitful people. But God was with Peter. When a certain man named Ananias lied to him about the proceeds from the sale of a possession, Peter said, “Ananias, why has satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?” (Acts 5:3) Peter was 'discerning' enough in his spirit to discern a lie (or wrong intention). Holy Spirit was definitely working in him, through him, and for him!

Not long before that, the rulers, elders, scribes, as well as the high priest and his family were also marveled at the wisdom and boldness of speech in Peter! They probably had wondered, “Isn’t this guy uneducated and untrained? How could he suddenly become so wise?” And that’s when they realized Peter had been with Jesus! (Acts 4:13) You see? Jesus is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, and He, of course, is also the Word (John 1:14). The Bible also says, ‘Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit…’ (Acts 4:8) See again? Word & Spirit! Spirit & Word! You have Him (& His Word and His Spirit), you have everything!

People of God, the good news is you can also be just as wise and discerning as Peter, because you are also in Christ, and you also have His Spirit! The same God who worked in, through, and for Peter is also now working in, through, and for you! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Hebrews 13:8) Believe and receive wisdom and discernment in every situation of yours today. Open your 'gates' (heart and mind) to His 'floodgates', and see how He begins to work wonders for you today. In Jesus' name. Amen!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit"

Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV): "So he (angel) answered and said to me (Zechariah): This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel; ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit’. Says the Lord of hosts."

'Zechariah' is pronounced 'Zekar-Yah' in Hebrew, which means 'The Lord (YHWH) remembers'. Israel is blessed because YHWH remembers the covenant He made with the fathers. Zechariah was a prophet and priest in his days, having been born in exile during the 70 years of captivity in Babylon, and returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. The Lord used him to inspire the people (i.e. those returning to Jerusalem) to look to God and to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

Who was Zerubbabel then? He was also among those returning to Jerusalem from Babylon, and as a governor, he was to take the lead in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. That was when the Lord spoke these words to him (in Zechariah 4:6) through Zechariah. By the way, the name 'Zerubbabel' means 'descendant of Babylon'. 'Babylon' represents 'the ways of the world'. This word actually comes from the word ‘Babel’, meaning ‘confusion’ in Hebrew. It speaks of 'worldly ways', i.e. people doing things by their own ‘might’ or ‘power’. Remember the tower of Babel? (see Genesis 11:1-9) So, even though Zerubbabel had this noble 'calling' of rebuilding the Lord's temple in Jerusalem, the Lord also wanted him to build it in His ways, not in worldly ways. Zerubbabel had probably been influenced much by the 'Babylonian ways' (of doing things) prior to Zechariah 4:6.

God’s work is to be done in God's ways, not in worldly ways! In other words, it is to be done by His Spirit (in His ways), and not by 'might' nor by 'power', i.e. the worldly ways (Babylonian ways). 

Let's now do a little study on the words 'might', 'power', and 'Spirit' in Zechariah 4:6. 

The word ‘might’ here is pronounced ‘khah-yil’ in Hebrew, which means ‘force, power, riches, strength (whether of human or other worldly resources). 

The word ‘power’ here is pronounced ‘kowach’ in Hebrew, meaning ‘human ability or capacity, own human produce (including power of human persuasion or flattering). 

The word ‘Spirit’ here is ‘ruwach’ in Hebrew, meaning ‘breath, life, wind, or spirit being exhaled’. Therefore, 'by His Spirit' is literally 'by the exhalation of His breath, life, wind, or Spirit'. 

So, not by 'khah-yil' nor by 'kowach', but by the Spirit of the Lord!

Zechariah 4:7 (NKJV) then says: Who are you, o great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone ('headstone' in KJV) with shouts of "Grace, Grace to it!” 

When God's things are done in God's ways, whatever 'mountain' (literally means 'to loom up' in Hebrew) shall become a 'plain'. This 'mountain' speaks of a 'problem' or 'hindrance', but when Jesus Christ has become your chief cornerstone (see Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6), this same 'mountain' shall become a 'plain'! Jesus Christ is also God's grace personified (John 1:17). One definition of 'God's grace' is 'His ability to do for you what you cannot do by your own ability'. That's why your salvation is also by God's grace, through your faith (believing heart). By the way, the words 'capstone' and 'cornerstone' in Zechariah 4:6 and Ephesians 2:20 have similar meanings, i.e. 'the uppermost or the uttermost stone'. This speaks of Jesus Christ Himself, your 'chief cornerstone', whilst you and I (as believers) are the 'stones' (see 1 Peter 2:4-5).

Many believers today are like the Zerubbabels (who are so used to do things by their own 'khah-yil' or 'kowach'), and very much influenced (in one way or another) by the 'Babylonian ways' of doing things. I can't blame them. Having grown up in 'Babylonian' environment, many see this way as the only way to 'achieve' and 'prosper' in life. But beloved of God, there's a higher way - God's way. Will you begin to look to Him and His ways instead? (see Isaiah 55:8-9) Be it in your daily 'walk', in ministry, or in business, it's not by 'khah-yil' nor by 'kowach', but by His Spirit! Let's not repeat the same 'mistakes' as those who tried to 'build' the tower of Babel by their own ways! 

As a believer in the New Covenant, Jesus Christ has indeed become your 'capstone' or 'headstone'. Allow Him. And as many as are led by His Spirit, these are also called sons of God (Romans 8:14), and know this, people of God, as you are being led by Him, whatever 'temple' or 'mission' that God has called you to 'build' will come to pass and prosper, just as it was in the days of Zechariah and Zerubbabel. Amen!

Winning in Spiritual Warfare

Isaiah 60:18 (NKJV): Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders, BUT you shall call your walls Salvation (‘Yeshuwah’)...

Spiritual warfare is real. But there’s good news for you as believers. Isaiah 60:18 says you should not suffer ‘violence’, ‘wastage’ or ‘destruction’ in the course of whatever ‘warfare’ you may be facing right now. This verse also says your ‘walls’ shall be called ‘Yeshuwah’, which means ‘Savior, Deliverer, Victory, Rescuer, Aid, Health, Prosperity’ in Hebrew. 

Note: 'Walls’ here speaks of your ‘protection or covering’. 

The Bible says the devil is not only wily (i.e. cunning or tricky), but he is also wicked. He’s all out to steal, kill, and destroy lives. His ‘ministry’ is a ‘ministry’ of stealing, killing, and destroying lives. But fear not! Isaiah 60:18 says 'Yeshuwah' has become your 'walls'! You have 'protection or covering' in Him!

Some believers think if they are in a certain ‘spiritual warfare’, they have to be 'wounded' also in the process (before they get to win it). Some even ‘subconsciously’ expect a backlash by the devil! Otherwise, it's not called 'warfare' at all to them! Some of the ‘wounds’ may be attacks on one’s finance or health, i.e. wastage/destruction within one’s ‘borders’ (whether in one’s ministry, business, or household). Unfortunately, they also 'got what they thought'! In the spiritual realm, whatever one thinks or believes, one will also have it.

Some believers also believe ‘in order to win, one has to suffer also’. They may say, “After all, 'no pain, no gain', right?” Wrong! Isaiah 60:18 clearly says otherwise. The truth is, as a believer in the New Covenant, you don’t have to ‘suffer’ violence, wastage, or destruction in order to win. The reason is simply because Jesus has already carried all these for you on the cross, and He has become your 'walls'!  Let’s take Him at His Word.

Let’s now cross-refer to Ephesians 6:11. This verse says, ‘Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil’.

The words ‘put on’ in this verse is ‘enduo’ in Greek. It means ‘to put a garment over you, to be clothed with, to be endued with, to be arrayed with’. ‘To endue’ is ‘to provide or supply somebody with a good quality or ability’. It also means 'you are clothed with' the whole armor of God. This actually speaks of your ‘consciousness’ of the armor. Just as you are now ‘conscious’ of the physical clothes you are wearing, the same truth applies: your spirit (& your mind) is also to be ‘conscious’ of the whole armor of God over you! 

This ‘armor’ is synonymous to the ‘wall’ in Isaiah 60:18. Both have similar meanings, i.e. ‘protection or covering’, and as a believer, Jesus is your ‘protection or covering’!

Note: ‘Armor’ in Oxford Dictionary is defined as ‘protection or covering for the body’.

Here's just an illustration. Have you noticed the original guys in the movies of say, ‘Superman’ or ‘Spiderman' (before being ‘endued’ with their respective suits) were quite timid? But the moment they ‘put on’ the suits, everything changed! The ‘suits’ here is likened to the ‘armor’ we talk about, and Jesus is of course, your ‘armor’. 

‘To stand’ in Ephesians 6:11 here is ‘histemi’ in Greek, which means ‘to be established, firm, permanent’. Isaiah 54:14 says, ‘In righteousness, you shall be established’. This word ‘established’ here in Hebrew is ‘kuwn’, which means ‘be sure, be of certainty’. So, ‘to stand’ is to ‘be sure, be of certainty’ in what Christ has already done for you on the cross. It is also to ‘be sure, be of certainty’ that victory has already been won for you some 2,000 years ago. No wonder just a few verses later in Isaiah 54:17, the Bible says, ‘no weapon formed against you shall prosper...’  

In Christ, God always leads you in triumph! (2 Corinthians 2:14). Notice the word ‘always’ here. ‘Always’ means ‘always’! Philippians 2:9-11 then says, ‘at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, in heaven, on earth, or under the earth'. Again, notice the word ‘every’ here, and ‘every’ of course means ‘every’! So, every spirit (whatever its ranking in the spiritual or demonic realm) is subjected under this name Jesus!

This same name Jesus is also your ‘whole armor’! See Ephesians 6:14-17.

Jesus is your ‘belt’: He is your Truth (see John 1:17, John 14:6).

Jesus is your ‘breastplate’: He is your Righteousness (see Isaiah 54:14, 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus is your ‘shoe’: He is your Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus is your ‘shield’: He is the Author and Finisher of your faith (see Hebrews 12:2).

Jesus is your ‘helmet’: He is your Savior (see Luke 19:10, Acts 4:12).

Jesus is your ‘sword’: He is the Word (see John 1:14, Hebrews 4:12).

You see, He is 'everything' to you! He is your full armor! When you have Him, you have your victory! He has already won every victory for you on the cross! So, what you need to do now is simply ‘to stand’ therefore (Ephesians 6:14) on this 'Rock', Jesus Christ Himself! 

And to cap it all, He has also given you the gift of praying in the Spirit (see Ephesians 6:18-19) to speak forth and declare your victory (as you follow His leading). Amen!

Accelerated times, the End-time

Amos 9:13a (NKJV): “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed…”

We are living in exciting and accelerated times. Just imagine how technology has advanced within the past 30 or 40 years! Just 30 to 40 years ago, there wasn’t any remote control for television, and there wasn’t anyone carrying cell phones around! Many today, even the most ‘savvy’ of users, are finding themselves trying to play ‘catch up’ with the latest models of gadgets. Even before one is done with all the features of his/her gadgets, new models/versions would have been launched in the market! This is how things are accelerating! And it seems quicker and quicker!

Read Amos 9:11-15. This prophecy is one of the most literal and clearest of prophecies about Israel in the end-time. In the year 1948, on May the 14^th, Israel became a nation again, and this marked the beginning of the accelerated times. Everything seemed to have advanced rather quickly (& still is) since then - in scientific discoveries, technological advancements, medical breakthroughs, or space technology. And of course the first rocket to the moon was also launched during this period of time! The prophecies in Amos 9:11-15 have indeed come to pass in our time.

God has always looked at Israel as a spiritual nation, and when you look at this nation, you’ll also see God’s spiritual ‘time-table’ at work. In short, you’ll know the sign of the times by looking at this nation, specifically Jerusalem. In Luke 21:24, the Bible says ‘Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled’. The second part of this prophecy became a reality in the year 1948.

Amos 9:13 describes the ‘accelerated times’ this way: ‘the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the sower shall overtake the treader of grapes’! It means even before the seeds are planted (or while the seeds are still being planted), there’s already a harvest of the fruits! Such is our time today! To put it simply, this is harvest time! Picture it this way: Even before you finish preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ (or sharing a testimony of God’s glory) to someone, that person would have accepted the Lord as his/her personal Savior and Lord! And there’ll be more and more such testimonies all over the world! Hallelujah!

Let’s now cross-refer to Matthew 20:1-16, where Jesus shared a parable of the workers in the vineyard. This parable is also called ‘the parable of the 11^th hour’.  Here’s how it goes: The landowner went out to hire laborers to work in his vineyard, and when he had agreed with the laborers to pay them a denarius a day (i.e. a day’s wage), he would then send them into his vineyard to work. So, he did this about the 3^rd hour (i.e. 9 am), he did the same about the 6^th hour (i.e. 12pm), and then about the 9^th hour (i.e. 3pm). Finally, he did likewise about the 11^th hour (i.e. 5pm).

By the way, the Jewish working time ends at the 12^th hour (i.e. 6pm). This means the 11^th hour laborers would only have worked for one hour. At evening, when the time came for the landowner’s steward to give all the laborers their wages (beginning with the last to the first), the 11^th hour laborers received a denarius each. And when the 3^rd hour laborers (i.e. the first group) came, they supposed that they would receive much more. After all, they have slogged for 9 hours (i.e. 9am -6pm) in the vineyard, and they thought they deserved better! But, to their surprise, they also received a denarius each. So, they complained against the landowner, saying, “These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.” But the landowner answered one of them, saying, “I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?”

The above parable actually speaks of God’s grace for the 11^th hour generation. You may ask, "So, who are those in the 11th hour generation?" You and I are! This is the end-time generation, i.e. the 11th hour generation! And mind you, this is also a greatly blessed generation, like those 11th hour laborers in the parable. Now, this parable is never meant to be a ‘religious’ parable. Instead, it’s meant to ‘shake’ those ‘religious’ people who thought they could earn God’s favor with their own strength or sacrifice. This parable is also not rewarding the so-called ‘heroes’ (who sacrificed the whole day), but instead rewards those who ‘have nothing to boast about themselves’. This parable speaks of the Father’s heart of grace for you. Grace is undeserved and unearned. It's about depending on Him and trusting in Him, instead of your own ability to 'make it happen'.

It's not about who work the hardest, but to those who trusts in the Lord, these are the ones whom God gives the most! God looks at the heart. 

Jesus also said, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16). Indeed, you have been chosen for this '11^th hour generation', and it's a great blessing! Cherish it! Indeed, you are now reaping the benefits of all the hard work (and years of toil) of your forefathers! Your forefathers were those from, say, ‘the 3^rd hour, the 6^th hour, or the 9^th hour’ period of human history. For example, it took so much out of Thomas Edison to ‘light’ a bulb, but today, and with just a 'token', you can easily enjoy a good bulb by just purchasing it from a hardware store near home!

Spiritually, this is also harvest time! Souls everywhere are ready for the reaping into His kingdom, even in the hardest of grounds. God is working through you, the believers today, and you are born (and raised) for such a time as this, when ‘the gospel of God’s kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations’ (see Matthew 24:14). The stage is set! The time is now! And it's time for you to arise and shine! Read Isaiah 60:1-18. This prophecy also speaks of our time, the end-time! God has promised His providence. God has promised a transfer of wealth. There'll be protection at your 'walls'. His name is Salvation ('Yeshuwah' in Hebrew). There'll also be Praises of the Lord at your 'gates'! So, let your 'gates' be continually opened (Isaiah 60:11), because His glory has risen upon you and His grace for you is super-strong. Amen!